Referendum in Long Beach Approves Casino

A non binding referendum was held in Long Beach to see if the residents are in favor or against the casinos in the harbor.

According to Allen Holder Jr., the alderman who proposed the referendum at the City Council meeting, the referendum covered almost of all the districts.

The results show that there are 2,179 residents in favor versus the 1,801 that does not support the bay casinos.

These results are highly different from the referendum held in 1993. The referendum results thirteen years ago were only 1,704 residents in favor of gambling while a 3,231 were against.

With the participation of former alderman Jimmy Levens, the election was a bit controversial.

Levens has a selection where one of the casinos will be placed and he had funded $60,000 for the marketing promotion to convince the residents of their pro-casino stand after hurricane Katrina. His daughters built a company and through the company they gave money to Long Beach Island but later funded the whole election.

The residents who were interviewed said that the Levens issue did not affect their decision. Most of them mentioned that the financial crisis that threatens the city is the main reason why they supported the casinos.

After the voting, people are now wondering how it will affect their city. The non binding referendum does not obligate the municipality in any way.